THE ELECTIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 260, 7 December 1914, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH. MR ISITT'S MEETINGS. Mr L. M. Isitt, Opposition candidate for Christchurch North, addressed three well-attended meetings ._ on Saturday evening. Mr R. Speirs presided. He said that, if returned, he would continue to work for progressive legislation, aiming at the. uplifting of the masses, and therefore he would oppose the Massey Party tooth and nail. - He -could not detect in the work of the Reformers any indication of, anything for the benefit of the workers as against the interests of the few.- It was almost impossible to condemn too strongly the r.ajrelessness and indifference of the Government in connection with the Huntly disaster. - At all three meetings Mr Isitt was accorded a vote of thanks and ' Jidence. MR TOOGOOD. Mr H. F. Toogood, Government candi-. «Jite for Christchurch North, addressed two open-air meetings on Saturday night ■—the first at the corner of Bishop and Canon Streets, and the second at Cranmer Square. Early in the 'first meeting Mr Toogood was subjected to a running lire of questions and interruptions by a small body of opponents, whom he referred to as £ ' the flying squadron.'' Refers ring to the subject of casual employment, Mr Toogood said an experiment was be ing conducted in connection with the Wellington wharf labourers, and expressed the hope that as a result much light would thrown upon the question, and some indication given .as to the solution. He emphasised the necessity for the adoption of some similar scheme to deal with the question of casual labour at' the Christchurch goods shed. He said a beginning had been made by the Reform Goveriimeiit j to solve the question of casual agricul-j tural labour by providing workers' homes j tsections for farm labourers. During the j liberal administration the Customs taxa-j tion increased while the creased, while under the Reform adminis-i, tration the opposite was the case. Mr Toogood said he was a Liberal and Sir! Joseph Ward was not. The meeting concluded with cheers for the candidate, and | «ounter-cheers for Sir Joseph Ward. j Replying at Cranmer Square to an inter- ■ lection, as to why. the" Government .did not. seize large quantities of wheat' at present j in store, Mr Toogood said it would be a serious thing to. take wheat away , from those : vrW had made contracts to supply for a y§ar. It was a-useful thing to'know ■wheret to get wheat, „ and if l there was, a shortage', no doubt the Government would collar it. (Applause.) The arrival or the quarter-million bushels of Canadian ordered by the Government, which •would be. sold at .the price fixed by the 'government, would bring ..down the price «£ other wheat in the Dominion. They fcad a. Government in jjower which would iandle the situation, andhandle it in a, &nsine§s-like way. ; Mr Tpogood waa enthusiastically cheer' * «d at.,the- conclusion of his "meeting. CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH. - MR P. B. HUGHES. tfhe Government. candidate for Christjhurch Sdutlu<Mr P. B. Ifughes) addressid. a lairge meeting at -the corner of .Sonior;„field and Barrington Streets on Saturday a igbt. . The. . candidate energetically .fotrghti . attempts by, a hostile, coterie to '' count him outj" and gave a wigorous''address. At the conclusion of the meeting Mi- Hughes was driving away when a man in the crowd stopped the fcorse. In a spirited address he expressed the hope that the crowd would not let the • candidate go away without a vote- of thanks, which he-moved. The motion was seconded, and carried witlr applause. ' MR ELL AND THE WORKERS. It having been reported that .Mr G. Jt.-. Whiting, Social-Democratic /candidate for Christchurch Souths had chart acterised his- Liberal opponent, Mr H. «. Ell as a representative for fifteen years of Capital and not of the working man, Mr Ell took the opportunity at an open-air meeting on Saturday evening to reply to the charge. He said that he had given Mr Whiting a chance ®f endorsing the report, but his opponent would neither admit nor deny its accuracy. What he had meant was that Mr Ell was associated with a party that represented capital, . and not the working man. Mr Ell said that he was first nomin-

fcted for Parliament in 1896 by the Cen

tral Political Council, organised' by the Ohristchureh Trades and Council, and his candidature was endorsed toy leading Labour men. In 1902, after he had been three years in Parliament, the Trades and Labour Council placed him at the head of the Labour nominations, Mr T. E. Taylor being! second, and Mr Charles Taylor third. In 1007 he was thanked by Mr James Thorn, the well-known Labour leader, for laecedih'g/ to tlie request' of ; the Tirades and Labour Council to assist, in the- organisation of the Farm Labourers;' 'Union. The annual report of the council that year thanked the Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C., and himself for their efforts in that direction. He had been .» member of the Trades and Labour Cduncil, and president and vice-presi- - ient of the Tailors' and* Union. He was at present president ©f a union affiliated with the council. He had been associated with several unions, and he had always had the conJLdenee of the workers, whose votes had put him into Parliament five times in recession. 31r Ell also dwelt upon his advocacy of State and municipal enterprises, rating on unimproved values, the restoration of the. mortgage : tax .to Id in the pound, an increment tax on land values, and the increase in the land transfer •duties. A friend of Capital would not advocate these proposals* Mr Ell, also addressed two" other meetings on Saturday evening* At each of his meetings he was accorded a vote of. thanks and confidence. RICCARTON; ME B. SUNN. Mr B. Bunn, Government candidate for Riccartoh, , addressed a crowded jno.eting at Papanui on Saturday night, and was aedbrded a good reception. Mr Chatfield presided. Mr Bumi, v/ho was received with apjplmise, said, the Government - had carried out the pledges made in 1911. "When the Minister of Finance asked authority to raise £3,750,000 for the Adyauueo and for land seti M .

tlement, the Opposition spent a week trying to stop the authorisation from being passed. Yet to-day they were telling the people that the Government had starved the Advances Department. Were the people, he asked,. going to« aeeept inconsistencies of that kind from the Opposition? During the time the Massey Government had been in power they had done more for the workers than had the Liberal Party in the same time. Speaking of monopolies, Mr Brum said the true friends of monopoly were the Liberal Party, «is these had been allowed to grow rich under their continuous administration. At the conclusion of his address the candidate was asked a number of questions, many of them of a frivolous nature, from people obviously opposed to him, but the meeting vas of an entirely satisfactory character. On resuming his seat Mr Bunn was loudly applauded, and a hearty vote of thanks was carried, with only a few dissentients.

Z-H ' AVON.. MR H. D. ACLAND. Mr 11. D. Aeland, Reform . candidate for Avon, addressed open-air meetings at the of Ollivier's Roacl and Biiccleugh Street arid at the Liiiwood/Post Office: On Saturday evening, whdn he'dealt chieily. with. the, Opposition, criticism of the (|overnnient's of'taxa-tion-land the Advances Department; It had' jSeen he said, that the .Government had starved the Advances. Departniffft: done nothing of the. kind. The fact wasr;.that Sir;fo#J>h Ward had gotHhe Advances Depart|hent into such# jkiddle ajid^hajl.promised to lend such iaijge sums of ihoney that ithei had to bi considerable retreuehmeht and rein the sums advanced. 4 In October, 19il, the maximum amount adyanceable'onlfreehold security was reduced to £2OOO, ajnd onftowhfsecuritjt to |1Q0& In April:, 1012, the Hon. T. Mackenzie' had to decline to jjionskfor .loans to pay off; f H Mr- Allen found this out when he- came into office—-the public had jiotibeen told about if before. Mi Allen got the finances: into Order, and in May, his able .tO £iake; advances for releasing mortffages, and later on to incrfeasethe advances up to £6OO. In June, lie increased the. amount to £750, and in Pe> ruarv, 1014, to £IOOO, and in June of this year to the'limit allowed by the Act.. " following figures showed advances made to workers: : r c , Sum Applications, jadvaneed. 1908 =■« . . 1150 >£268;000 1900* 7. 784 007,000 1010 - 2028 470,000 " .. 2125' ; '47:!,000 , IOIV " .. 2223 612,000 " .. 1805 397,000 1914 •• 1599 8a0 ' 00 ° JuMquarter, . 125)000

The advances made since the outbreak of the- war, said Mr Ac!and, compared favourably with the avorage of advances, made by Sir Joseph Ward. The Settlers Department had, during the past three, months advanced a sum equal to the late of £390,000 for one year. The numbei of •ninlieants this year promised to be a re.S, and that showed that Mr Mmjjj was not starving the Department. applications for the June 1550, which was at the rate of 6000 foi nnp vear. Previous years were: IJOy, Xof 1910, 4431 ; 1911, 4557; 1012, 5355; 1913, 3187; and 1914, 4><>+. LYTTELTON. MB M. J.. MILLER. Mr M. J. Miller addressed a wellattended meeting at Port Levy on Friday evening last, in the school. Mr Robert Fleming presided. The candidate .. was accorded a vote of thanks. On Saturday evening Mr Miller spoke at £*liaiteris -Bay, where he received a vote/of ithanks. SELWYN. /Mr, meg. sheat. Mr G. Sheat, Government candidate far Selwyn, addressed a. meeting at\Kpwai on Thursday evening, "ftnd- was .acjiordedj an excellent hearing. He dealt with* taxation, workmen's homes, freehold tenure, and the Bible-in-schools referendum. On the motion jof Mr G.R/Booth, seconded by, Mr W'.' J. Atkinsdn, the candidate was accorded $ hearty ...vote Jof thanks.j "rMK J. CAMLET. Mr Joseph ITamlet, Reform candidate for Selwyn, addressed a series of meetings last week. At Hp read eagle on Monday, at Rakaia on Tuesday, at Winslow and Westerfield on Wednesday, at Elgin and Dromore on Thursday, and at Barr Hill arid Meade Settlement on Friday. He was accorded votes of thanks. On Saturday night Mr Hamlet addressed a meeting at Greendale. There was a large audience and the candidate was given a good hearing. After 1 answering a large number of questions he was accorded a vote of thanks.

ELLESMERE. HON. R. H. RHODES. The Hon. Mr Rhodes addressed a wellattended meeting in the Pnaha School on Saturday afternoon, Mr T.'H. Chapman, chairman of the School Committee, presiding. After speaking for over an hour Mr Rhodes was submitted to a running fire of questions, which kept him occupied for fully another hour. On the motion of Mr J. Einaldi, seconded by Mr Radcliffe, Mr Rhodes was accorded a hearty voi;e of thanks. In the evening the Little River Town Hall was crowded with electors; when Mr Rhodes delivered another address; Mr J. P. Buchanan, chairman of the Waiwera County Council, presiding. In the course of his remarks, SMr Rhodes referred to the Opposition criticism of the Government regarding Royal Com-

missions, and mentioned that the cost of any Commissions appointed..'by. the Reform Government was very small compared with such expenditure jmder. the Liberal Administration. Moreover, the Massey Government did not appoint a Commission to endeavour to find a policy for them, as was done by the former Government, in connection with the land tenur.e. That Commission alone cost the country no less a " sum than £10,377 16/-. Quoting from 1 a return presented to Parliament, Mr Bhodes said that the total cost to the Dominion of seventy-six eolnmissitms apjfomted by the Liberal Administration between the years 1903 and 1912 amouiited to the huge sum of £62,445 10/3. = ;! , 'As at Puaha in the afternoon, Mr Rhodes was Subjected-to'much questioning at.the close of his address,* showing keen interest in' the election.: \ A vote of thanks was moved by Mr Montgomery, and seconded by Mr F» Oread, and carried., .. , ... TO-NIGHT'S MEETING-S. Mr 11. F. Toogood (Christchurch North), Manchester Street and Bealey Avenue (7.30),. ■ and Aldridge Street and Dujkam Street ; Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch Worth), at Carlton Bridge (8) .. Mr Hiram Hunter (Christchurch East) at corner Peterborough and Madras Streets. . Mr F. B. Hughes (Christchureh South), corner 'Bdttersea and Durhaßt Streets (7), and corner MdQi'hou&f Avenue and Stew-art Streets (S)v' . : V* : ' ; Mr H. £r. Ell South), corner Rosewarne and Sehvyn Streets. (6.45 Scott an< 1 Lvtt oh Streets ( 7!3 0), Chjirch of Christ: Moorhotise Avenue (8). , ; V'-,-Mr G. R. Whiting (Christchurch South), at Colombo,,and Fisher streets (7), Strickland . Street. Jaud; Redruth Avenue (7.30), Sclwvu a net Harm an Streets (BMS). •"=. .'■•->. ■*

: Mr H. 1). Acland corner Canal Reserve and Seddori Avenue (7), corner Phillip and Tuam Streets (8.15). ; Mr Bertram Bunn (Riccarton), at Lower Riccarton Town Hall.

; Mr Geo. Witty (Biccartotf)j at corner Clarence Road and Dudley Street (7), coner Torrens and Sutherland Roads (7.35), and Sprevdon Hall, Mill Road (8.30). ' .'-.O Mr J. McCombs (Lyttelton), Governor's Bay (6.45), and Blind Rotunda, Lyttelton (8.15). Mr Joseph Hamlet (Selwyn), at Springfield* (8). j Mr I>:»vid dories (Khiapoi), at: Belfast. i Mr M. J. Miller at Pigeon Bay. 7 : • Mr Geo. ,Sheat\(Selwyn)," at R&kaia. Dr Th acker (ChristchurclV Easti), at East Christehurch School* .< - - • • Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes :£Ellesmere), at Tai Tapu Hall. Jtf Mr G. D. Macfarlane, St'. ?i Lnke's (8). FUTURE MEETINGS. Mr L. M: Isitt: Crannier Square, 7.30 p.m.; EdgeWar^and :Spi-ing- : field: Roads, 8.15 p.in.; Clare Roads, 9 p.m. Wednesday, St. Albans Park, 8 p.m. Mr H. F. Toogood: Titcsday, Rugby Street School, 8 p.m. Mr 11. D. Acland: Tuesday, Burwood School gate, 7 p.m.; New Brighton Presbyterian Hall, 8:15 Yogel Street'and Stanmore :R6ad, 7 p.m.; East Belt Methodist Schoolroom, 8.15 p.m. ;: Mr B. Bunn: Tuesday, Upper Ric.ca.rton Oddfellows' Jiall, 8 p.mi j Wednesday, Cutler's Road and George Street, 7 p.m.; Mandeville Road and LoweStreet, 7.45 p.m.Clarence Road* and Dudley Street, 8.30 p.m. , Mr D. .I ones: Tuesday, Kaiapoi. Wednesday, Rangiont./ ; " k'\' • Mr ,T. C. Free: --Tuesday,- Waiinti, 2 p.m.; Duvauchelles, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Akaroa. ' • • ■

Mr F. B. Hughes: Tuesday, Addington workshops, midday; Wednesday, goods shod, Carlyle Street, midday: Mr G. I). Maefarlane: Tuesday, Caledonian -.Hall, Worcester Streot, 8 p.m. Hon. R. H. Rhodes: Tuesj&ay, Akaroa. Wednesday, Leeston. •;

Mr J. Hamlet: Tuesday, J?yvie, 6 p.m.; Hororata, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Pendarve Hall, 6 p.m.; Allent'on, 8.1:7 .jun. Mr G. Sheat: Allenton. Wednesday, Hororata.

Mr H. G. Ell: Tuesday, Carlyle Street, noon;. Aulsebrook's, 12.35 p.m.; Milton and Colombo Streets, 7 p.m.; Church Square, Addington, 7.30 p.m.; Baretta and Dunn Streets, 8.15 p.m. Wednesday, P. &D. Duncan's, noon; Strickland and Colombo Streets, 6.45 p.m.; Edenbridge and Edinburgh Streets, 7.30 p.m.; Redj ruth Avenue and Strickland Street, 8.15 p.m. Dr Thacker: Tuesday, Kaiapoi Clothing Factory, 32.15 p.m. Wednesday, Choral Hall, 8 p.m. Mr J. McCombs: Tuesday, Charteris Bay, .1.30; Methodist School, Opawa, 8 p.m. THE PRIME"MINISTER. ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING. Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 6. The Prime Minister addressed a large and enthusiastic gathering of settlers

at Clevedon ;©« : Saturday night. In passing through the township on his way to ClevedOti; Mr Massey was frequentlyl cheered: Referring to the shortage of wlieat, Mr Massey said "I have received an | interesting telegram from a business man in Timaru, ; who points out that in 11907 wheat was 1 isoM *in Timaru at 6/3 | per and flour at £l4 per ton. | The Government* of the day, which is in | opposition now, and which is now crying out against the fact that prices hav« been fixed by the Commission at 5/3 per bushel' • for'' wheat at southern" ports, and £l3 per ton for flour, did not lift a fiftg&r t6- relieve the position. There's 'nothixig like that about us," added Mr Massey amid loud applause: A vote, of thanks and confidence: in the Government was carried unanimously, .the audience applauding and cheering for a considerable time. I THE PROHIBITION VOTE IN AVON. i QUESTIONABLE TACTICS. r INTERFERENCE STRONGLY RESENTED. During the past few days copies of the i i ' Vanguard " newspaper have been circulated in the Avon district, with a circular attached bearing , the signatures of the Rev. J. Cocker, president, and Miss C„ Anderson, secretary of the Christchurch Prohibition This circular strongly opposes the return of Mr G. W. Russell on the ground that he is.a. supporter of the three-fifths majority, and urges the electors to concentrate the prohibition vote on one candidate. There follows wh§t purports to be a resolution passed by the league, urging people to do their utmost to secure votes for;Mr Sullivan, "who is a convinced prohibitionist and a public advocate of our cause." The strongest exception is taken to this by a number of prominent prohibitionists who declare that it is flatly against the policy of the New Zealand Alliance to discriminate between candilates in the way that the league seeks to discriminate between Mr Acland and Mr Sullivan. We are informed on good authority that the resolution was passed at a small meeting of the prohibition league and one' that was dominated by the Red Fed. element and its sympathisers.

DUNEDIN WEST. DUNEDIN, Dec-ember 4. Mr J. T. Johnson, Liberal candidate for Dunedin West, addressed a meeting of electors this evening. He urged that the Dominion should provide a wide industrial basis which would ultimately ensure that its natural products should go out of the country only as manufactured articles. In order to bring about more land settlement ho would increase the graduated land tax. He supported a State Bank and regretted that the Government did not take over the institution j r ears ago. Ho believed ;a' war tax would yet be imposed, and the greater 'part of it should be placed on those best able to bear it. He thought the 'Legislative Council was -not required. : A vote of thanks and confidence was 'carried with only two dissentient^. POLITICAL NOTE?; ; '' There have never been better times fpr the country than during the period we havje had charge of the affairs of the country. (Cheers.) The .-exports haye increased in that time by the. enprmoxis sum of £5,000,000. (Cheers.) There is proof oif the prosperity of the'Vouatry." Even Tfith the war, he thoiight, the exports would • show : an increase fdr:'the current year. No country in-the Empire would recover, froni the' effects of the war so graxjdly as this country. (Cheers.) —The Prime Minister.

A least one lady has a season ticket to the meetings held by the Hon. F. M. B, Fisher. Her interjections are familiar, almost confidential. "I recognise that voice," said Mr Fisher at one of; his meetings, "I heard it last night. I have never been so persistently followed by ladies in my life.'' "Sing us something, Mr Fisher," urged the persistent lady. "Well, if I do bing as you ask me to I will sing, 'Meet Me* by Moonlight Alone.' '' Later 'Mr fisher was saying that he would not speak for very long. ".We're, almost tired of you," said the lady. ' "Well, \f she's tired of me I can't understand- whyalio follows me round —unless she's paid to."

iMr Massey: There is very : little unemployment in the country at the present moment. (Dissent.) He stated that a Labour Department official in Christchurch had told him that he could pjlt every man who was fit to work with ai pick and shovel on public works in the country. _

JOn taking the chair at Mr Scholes's ..a,fc Maungatautari (telegraphs an Auckland correspondent),* Mr T. A.' Hicks asked the audience to give the candidate a patient hearing. All went well until the speaker alluded to railway matters, and referred to the Government having brought: Mr Hiley; to th6.Dominion, paid him £6O a week, and nad at the same time f'to educate him." At this point the ehairman arose and took exception to the remark. Mr Scholes,, addressing the chairman* told him he. was there to keep the meeting in order, not to. interject. " Well," said the chairman, <'if lam going to be gagged, I will get out of the chair:;" "All right," answered the candidate, ",I will .conduct the meeting myself," and this he proceeded to "do as the chairman left the platform. At the conclusion pfv.Mr Schofes's address a hearty vote of thanks' was .moved and seconded, which the candidate, amid much laugliter, declared carried. • ■

Replying at Auckland to an interjector who sought information concerning the strike, Mr Massey said: "I would do iny duty, just as I did it the last time. * When any section of the people attempts to take the law_ into its own hands the Government, if it is worth its salf, will maintain law and order, and that's what we did. (Cheers.) It was a very unpleasant duty, but we did it."

"I look round at the mothers of families here to-night," said Sir Joseph Ward at Wellington, "and I am going to ask them one question. How much has this Government reduced the cost of living? (Loud derisive laughter.) How; much have they taken off the cost of living by the removal of the duty off necessaries of life?"

Voices: Nothing. Sir Joseph Ward: "Yes, they have. They have taken the duty off packingcases." (Laughter.)

"I really do think," said Mr Fisher at Wellington, "that when the numbers go up on December 10 the Massey Government will go back with a larger majority than ever." (Loud applause.)

'' The Government 's action in appointing political opponents to seats in the tTpper House is unique in the political history of this country," remarked Mr R. A. Wright, Reform candidate for the Suburbs at a meeting at Karori. It was another indication of the Government's determination that merit and not favour should be the dominant consideration in such matters. No doubt it has caused a great deal of resentment among the Ward Party, because it helped.to:.more, vividly impress the public with the; unfair and indiscriminating tactics of the Wardists in the bad old days.

Sir Joseph Ward at; Wellington: I want to make this poiiit quite clear — the Liberal Party would, bring the Public Service' control. (Continued applause.) The Reformers were suggesting,- and/had suggested at last election, thatiMuiene'e was at work. But the Government had been afraid to administer the;;Publ|e. pervice, and they had given their "responsibilities over to a board.* .! ' j ..ij r ! ■'

Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, at his meeting ok Saturday, was dealing with the right of every Civil Servant to a reasonable v,6.ge, when one of his liearers asked, "Do you earn yours?" "Yes," replied Mir Fisher, "I think it is worth the money to come to the meetings . and hear the silly remarks made by the likes pfyeffy",

"Regarding the Huntly mine disaster," asked a man al>4he Jjack, "is it usual in mining operations to conduct an examination of gates every morning?" , "I cannot tell you, "said Mr Fisher. The Questioner: That is why I asked you. " (Loud laughter;) ; "As regards the examination of mines at Huntly by the miners' representatives," the same man went on, "who elected them?"

Mr Fisher: I suppose the union. "Couldn't you give us a definite answer No,' I could not". I don't know anything about 4ihe internal working of the mine." The Questioner: I thought you didn't. You spoke about Huntly, Mr Fisher? "I know I did,' 'replied the. candidate.- ■ ' t .i -Vi'.'' y

'' ( Yes, I thought" yfou did.'' * (More laughter.) t

Mr Massey, referring to the importa- , tion of railway engines from America; We have not sent yet, and I hope it will not be necessary. (Cheers.) We are not going to follow the bad example of our predecessors if it is possible to avoid it. (Loud cheers.) We are turning out an engine a month in the South Island, and a number elsewhere. Even _ then, we don't seem to be able to keep~ pace with the requirements of the rail- > ways. It shows how rapidly the business is increasing. The business at the Auckland Station has doubled in the 1 past "eight years, and in all probability it , will double itself in the next oight ; years. (Heir, hear.)

Mr Fisher replied to the charge that a number of people ; following totally [) different' occupations had been classed as commercial travellers for the purpose ; of being dumped on to the Wellington ~ Central' electoral roll. When he had j quoted the defining clauses in the elec- i toral legislation, he was asked, '' Are ; they commercial travellers??' - ;

Mr Fisher; "Who?" ; ." are :;;on. the. roll.'' -J . '.*l>q£s anyone;say they are riot?" re- ; spohded Mr Fisher;• " .] "Is Mr Hannah a commercial travel- .j ler?" was /the retort. „ '■ "Who says he is not?" ]

'' I say he is not." i "Very well," said Mr Fisher. " Yon • apply to the Registrar of Electors, and * get them removed from the roll if you 1 can."

The candidate expressed the ; opinion = that a man who controlled a business j and 'travelled all over the country on his business was a commercial traveller, "Is a land agent a commercial traveller?" asked somebody. f "Of course he is," was the reply, | An interjection wliich-create 1 some U wasj. " What; about the New | Liberal' Party —you and Bedford and 1 " ' Tomiuyi'' Laur-enson.? ". echoed the i 1 ' Tommy' Lanrerison?"" echoed the ;• candidatj?. 'I think that is fuddled." j •A VMce: 'Se wad abetter Liberal | than you are. ' • hurled from the doorway. jf you mind giving him a shift i from * the d6orstepi" Mr Fisher asked the police. "What about you and " resumed $ the voice, but the rest of the query | was cut short by the intervention of a 4 constable. l| At his meeting at Grey Lynn on Fri- *1 day, accepted a," statement in the "StM } ? Regarding 4he v oStrich. -1 farm. He added that a previous article suggested that he took a hand in barrowing." money and that he was at the head of affairs when the money was bor-. rowed. As a matter of fact,. £IO,OOO was bopr|t)wed before he came- into .office, lie had! -frothing to do.J-With ■ it. The value of the land would toot be increased, one farthing by the line, as it had. railway communication on the main line already. A letter he had from, the Public Trustee showed that the original loan of £IO,OOO was granted yeara ago, and that so far as he (the Public Trustee) knew,- no - political influencehad been used by Mr Massey or any r body else. : The - Trustee's Office considered , the, investment sound and satisfactory. ' 7.',_ _ " ... __ ""